Malagasy pétanque continues to make history! Madagascar distinguished himself during the 2025 world championships in Italy, winning gold in a mixed doublet thanks to Lova Rakotoarisoa and Fana Ravomanana. Despite remarkable performances in other events, the coronation in head-on and doublet of men and women narrowly escapes the Malagasy delegation.
A world title in mixed doublet
Madagascar has once again proven his supremacy in the pétanque world by winning the title of world champion in mixed doublet at the 2025 world championships, organized in Italy. The pair made up of Lova Rakotoarisoa and Fana Ravomanana dominated the competition, winning in the final with a final score of 13-6 against the French Dylan Rocher and Audrey Bandiera. This success topped an almost perfect course: first of the four qualifying rounds, the Malagasy chained victories with disconcerting ease, crushing Algeria (13-2) in the round of 16, Cambodia (13-3) in quarters, and Monaco (13-0) in the semi-finals. This world title adds a new line to the already impressive list of Madagascar in this discipline.
Tête-à-tête regrets
In the male tête-à-tête test, Ramantiaray urban Faralahy, alias “Baloti”, came close to the feat. After a convincing course, marked by net victories against Luxembourg (13-3) in eighth, France (13-2) in quarters and Malaysia (13-10) in the semi-final, Baloti lost to the final against the Italian Diego Rizzi (13-8). A silver medal that leaves a taste of unfinished, but which testifies to the exceptional level of Malagasy pétanque. In women, however, disappointment is more marked. Tita, Malagasy representative in the female head-to-face test, failed to qualify for the knockout stages, ending in a modest 17th place.
Frustrant semi-finals in doublets
In the men and women’s doublets, Madagascar has shown great things, but failed to achieve the finals. Among men, the Lova-Baloti pair was stopped in the semi-finals by Switzerland (13-10), after eliminating Cambodia (13-2) in eighth and France (13-10) in quarters. Among women, Tita and Fana fought a fierce fight in the semi-finals against France, narrowly losing 13-12. Previously, they had dominated Denmark (13-10) in eighth and Tunisia (13-5) in quarters. With four players aligned during this 6th world pétanque championship, Madagascar draws an honorable assessment. The title in a mixed doublet, the silver medal in head-to-head and the solid performance in doublets testify to the talent and the regularity of the Malagasy delegation.
Power of Samson
The Pétanque – Mondial 2025 article: Madagascar crowned champion in mixed doublet appeared first in Midi Madagasikara.